Why a separate play area promotes children's development

a play area

A smiling preschool boy with curly hair against a yellow background.

Why a separate play area is important

Toddlers and preschoolers primarily seek the closeness and attention of their parents. At the same time, as they grow older, they also develop a need for their own play area where they can play, do crafts, build things, and let their imagination run free. A well planned play area to develop their own ideas and keep themselves busy independently. However, too many toys often lead to overwhelm: the room descends into chaos, children become impatient, and they cannot fully unfold their imagination. It is important that a play area does not replace closeness and shared time, but complements it. Children need adults and other children to learn from them and to gain inspiration through playing together. After all, the most important things in a child's life are not material, but shared experiences and closeness to their parents.

A little girl with pigtails holds four small balls in her hands.

A smiling boy in a striped shirt against a blue background.

Playing in the living room

A play area in the living room is particularly enjoyable for children in the preschool years and supports their development. Here, children can play, do arts and crafts, and let their imaginations run wild. In the meantime, parents can do some housework or take a quick breather while the child is busy nearby and doesn’t feel alone.

A toy giraffe standing next to a shelf filled with children's toys.

Two white shelves with baskets for storing children's toys.

A play area in the living room

A play area in the living room makes children particularly happy in their early years, even if they have their own room. Up to school age, children enjoy being where their parents are. From around the age of three, children can increasingly spend longer periods playing on their own, but they still regularly seek the presence of adults. Neither too much time alone nor an abundance of toys can replace closeness to parents. A play area in the living room supports a child's development and allows them to remain part of family life while having a space of their own. Here, they can play close to their parents, engage in arts and crafts, and let their imagination run wild while feeling safe and secure. To make the play area your child's favorite spot, it doesn’t need to be overly elaborate. A shelf with storage boxes or a chest of drawers can help keep things tidy, and a small table with a chair invites your child to paint, craft or build. A rug and a beanbag can make the play area a cozy space where your child loves spending time. Even better, take a few minutes each day to play, draw, or just talk with your child. These shared moments not only bring joy to your child but also strengthen your bond and leave lasting memories. After all, nothing is as valuable and enriching as your undivided attention.

A mother sits with her children in a play tent at home, reading a book.

A boy with a screwdriver together with his father.

Separate the play area with a curtain

A play area in the living room can be easily separated with a white curtain, allowing the toys to disappear in no time. Sometimes, simply attaching a curtain directly to the toy shelves is enough to quickly and easily hide the toys. The curtain provides instant visual calm and helps the room look tidy, especially in the evening or when visitors are expected. During the day, the curtain stays open so the child can play freely. In the evening, simply close it, and the room feels instantly more organized. A clamping rod that can be attached between two walls without drilling is particularly practical. A rod with a diameter of around 32 mm is sturdy enough to support heavier curtains with ease and offers a simple and affordable solution for dividing spaces. Curtain rings with clips make it quick and easy to attach the curtain to the rod. A curtain is not only practical, but it also helps absorb sound and creates a pleasant atmosphere. This way, the play area remains part of family life but can quickly fade into the background if needed, while the living room stays cozy and inviting.

A clamping rod that is fixed between two walls.

A young woman with black hair in front of a yellow background.

Tips for the play corner

A play corner in the living room can be creative, cozy, and well organized. With shelves, sufficient lighting, storage boxes, and other ideas, you can create a comfortable space where children can play, craft, and relax.

A small, colorful table and chair in the room.

Toys
Only keep the toys in the living room that are currently being used to avoid clutter.

Shelves
Shelves with baskets or storage boxes offer a practical way to store toys and keep them easily accessible.

Craft materials
Provide paper, pencils, scissors, and glue in boxes to encourage creative crafting.

Lighting
A lamp in the children's corner provides sufficient light for playing and drawing, especially on dark days or in the evening.

Furniture
A small table and chair are ideal for painting or crafting and can be moved around when needed.

Carpet
A carpet keeps the floor warm and makes playing more comfortable. Make sure it is not too fluffy so your child can easily build towers or do puzzles on it.

Relaxation
A cozy spot with cushions or a beanbag invites children to look at a book or enjoy listening to a story being read to them.

Music
A CD player with a collection of children's songs or audio stories encourages singing along and listening, while stimulating the imagination.

Activities
Activities that have been started can be left to finish later. A puzzle is best assembled on a sturdy piece of cardboard so it can be easily moved or set aside without the pieces falling apart.

Pictures
Children love hanging their pictures on a line from wall to wall or attaching them to the side of a shelf.

Tidiness
Weekly tidying up helps build a sense of responsibility, and with fun music, it can be done much faster together.

Curtain
A curtain in front of shelves or used as a room divider from wall to wall creates instant order and ensures visual calm.

Tidying up something in the playroom
Promotes a sense of order and responsibility.

A preschool boy playing with colorful blocks on the floor at home.

Children don’t need an abundance of toys, but rather a play area that provides space for their own ideas.

Promoting creativity and independence

Playing, painting, and crafting not only encourage creativity but also develop important skills such as patience and independence. With a small play corner where projects can be left and clear routines for tidying up, you can create a harmonious balance between fun and order.

A preschool girl playing with a wooden tower at the table indoors.

Children build creative structures with colorful building blocks.

Leave play ideas standing

Your child enthusiastically starts building a structure out of wooden blocks or working on a puzzle. But in the evening, they hear: »Now it’s time to tidy up!« Moments like these can quickly take away the joy of their activity. If children are constantly asked to put their toys away, they lose the motivation to build and the pride in their creations. The joy of playing independently and imaginatively is often lost as well. So why not simply leave the riding stable or the car racing track as they are? This way, your child can easily continue their play later. After all, it is important for their creative development that play is not constantly interrupted just to tidy up. A play area where creations can temporarily stay in place sends children an important message: »Your ideas are valuable.« Continuing their play helps develop important qualities like creativity, patience, and perseverance. These skills support children in many areas of their lives. At the same time, it is important to maintain tidiness, as cleaning up is also part of everyday life. Shared routines, such as setting aside a day each week for tidying up, can help create a healthy balance between play and order. Discuss with your child when and what should be tidied up to help them learn responsibility.

Preschool child cutting a car out of paper.

Painting and crafting

Craft and painting materials are an essential part of any play corner. They not only foster creativity but also promote patience, fine motor skills, and hand-eye coordination. Activities like painting, crafting, and kneading help children develop important skills, such as using scissors and glue or holding a pencil. These early experiences also make it easier for them to learn to write later in school. Starting around the age of three, children begin creating their first drawings, experimenting with crafts, or shaping small figures from various materials, which playfully supports their fine motor development. Some of the most popular drawings include people, animals, houses, or flowers. Their pictures often reflect all the things they see and experience in their daily lives. However, these skills develop differently in every child: some are remarkably skilled at this age, while others need more time and practice. Always providing materials for your child is a great idea, even if they initially show little interest in painting or crafting. You could try painting a picture or crafting something together with your child. Most of the time, that's all it takes to spark their interest. In the play corner, it’s worth including a small area where artwork or craft projects can stay for a while. A line stretched from wall to wall, where children can hang up their pictures, shows appreciation for their creations and encourages them to explore further creative ideas.

A happy girl with long hair against a blue background.

Experience creativity together

With a selection of materials, children can explore their creativity freely. Take the opportunity now and then to paint or do arts and crafts with your child, support their ideas, and enjoy valuable time together.

A little girl makes a boat out of an egg carton and paints it colorfully.

Materials for painting and crafting

With a selection of materials for painting, crafting, and creative projects, you can create a play corner that keeps your child actively busy while also playfully developing their fine motor skills. To keep everything organized, it’s a good idea to store the materials in shoe boxes, storage containers, or drawers. This way, children can quickly find what they need and focus entirely on their creative ideas. Great materials to include are drawing materials such as colored pencils, wax crayons, finger paints, chalk, eraser, and sharpener; crafting tools like children's scissors, glue, colored paper, modeling clay, and wooden beads; as well as everyday items like cardboard, fabric scraps, bottle corks, paper plates, and buttons. You can also take a walk with your child and collect small treasures from nature, such as flat stones, twigs, leaves, shells, or chestnuts, which are perfect for creative craft projects. These natural finds can be painted or glued into figures, turning crafting into a small adventure inspired by nature. To protect your surfaces, place a craft mat, newspaper, or oilcloth on the table before starting. This keeps the table clean and makes tidying up fast and simple. Encourage your child to try out the materials provided. If they lack ideas, you can offer suggestions or propose creating something together. However, if your child is not in the mood for painting or crafting, avoid putting pressure on them. Instead, you can suggest painting or crafting something together, as interest often develops naturally.

This is a small handmade figure made of chestnuts.

A girl wears a mask decorated with colorful leaves.

Consciously experiencing shared moments

Children love it when parents or siblings spend a little time with them to get creative together. Take the opportunity to talk about your child's creations, show interest in their ideas, and praise them: »You did a great job!« This creates wonderful shared moments that not only enhance your child's communication skills but also strengthen your bond. And if you manage to hold back and let your child take the lead, you will realize how rewarding time spent together can be. Let your child's play guide you and give them your full attention, without glancing at your phone. You might even discover how enriching and relaxing this time together can be when you fully immerse yourself and enjoy the moment of connection.

A mother and her child are cutting colorful paper with scissors.

Creative moments are valuable memories that connect parents and children.

Dealing with comparisons

In a world where comparisons are everywhere, adults can easily be tempted to compare children to one another. However, such comparisons, like asking who paints or crafts better, can take the joy out of creative activities and weaken a child's confidence. Instead, show your child that their ideas and efforts are valued by taking a genuine interest in their work. For example, ask what is shown in their drawing or what they are currently creating. This encourages your child to share their thoughts and ideas while also promoting their language skills. Showing such appreciation strengthens a child's confidence and increases their enthusiasm to keep trying new things. Take a few moments now and then to draw or do arts and crafts with your child to spark their imagination. For instance, you could show them simple techniques, like folding a paper airplane or using glue and scissors.

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